Post rally writers block?

[anne]

I had an incredible time at the rally - meeting my fellow dots, our invitation to join in the gathering with ML, 2 excellent library connections - were highlights of my time in LA. I came home with my brain ticking, completely motivated to capitalize on the momentum of my "success" at the rally. But now that I'm back home I'm finding myself feeling unable to get any writing done. I have the thoughts in my head, but I just keep making excuses to avoid playing and recording them. Its even been tough to post on the forums!The feeling is much like stagefright! Because I did well at the rally I feel like I'm going to "fail" in writing more songs for the library that requested more songs. Is this a normal reaction to passing a huge milestone? Does this happen to you, too? I could use a little advice on breaking the block...

[squidlips]

Hey Anne....:)Girl, you know I didn't make the Rally but from my experience, what you're describing isn't that unusual....sounds like the weekend had an impact on you, altered your expectations of yourself. Now the pressure's on to live up to those expectations, maybe? I wouldn't want to write like that either, although I hear from Matto and Mazz that this is the life of the working writer these days.....deadlines, pressure. And they deal with it cuz they've got a solid history of doing it. Well, you can do it too. Forget the expectations and just try hitting a note. Not much different when when you first got started in music, right? One note and another.....who you are will come back to you in a flash and you'll be back in the saddle again.

[hummingbird]

Quote:I had an incredible time at the rally - meeting my fellow dots, our invitation to join in the gathering with ML, 2 excellent library connections - were highlights of my time in LA. I came home with my brain ticking, completely motivated to capitalize on the momentum of my "success" at the rally. But now that I'm back home I'm finding myself feeling unable to get any writing done. I have the thoughts in my head, but I just keep making excuses to avoid playing and recording them. Its even been tough to post on the forums!The feeling is much like stagefright! Because I did well at the rally I feel like I'm going to "fail" in writing more songs for the library that requested more songs. Is this a normal reaction to passing a huge milestone? Does this happen to you, too? I could use a little advice on breaking the block... Anne, my best advice is to make a daily appointment with yourself to write, and when you sit down to do it, remind yourself you are brainstorming ideas and trying things out & it doesn't have to be perfect, you just need to get something out on the page or out of the piano. Sometimes if I can't find a new idea I go through some of my old unfinished stuff, or my idea file (where I keep those envelopes & scraps of paper with scribbles) and use them to motivate me.In addition, I highly recommend morning pages -- 3 pages in your journal/notebook every morning of stream of consciousness writing without stopping, if you can't think of anything to write you write about that -- oh i will never fill up 3 pages this is silly it's cold this morning the fog is gray outside my window --You have a great hook right here -- I'd like to hear the draft piece of music you call "Breaking the Block"warmlyHummin'bird

[anne]

Thanks everyone - my husband just came in and suggested working on something else for a while - I think a good walk with the dog and then sitting down to write whatever pops into my head is in order! Vikki - I will keep that hook in mind while out with the pup!

[gitarrero]

hmmm... I only had sometimes a hard time when I was writing for a specific artist, in a requested mood/topic etc.when I can write whatever I want I've never run out of ideas so far - they just keep coming. touch wood that this will also be the case in the future sorry I don't think I was of any help.cheers,martin

[kg]

I'm in agreement with Vikki on this one. Why don't you try and take it one step further by drafting a peice of music that directly addresses how you feel. Blocked, frustrated, maybe even empty? Maybe you'll be able to use it, maybe you won't, but at least you'll be getting something out. Maybe you should pick up your familiar instrument (guitar) and just bang around until you feel better, then go back to your current instrument of choice.

[crs7string]

Anne,What you are feeling is perfectly normal. I think all of the "dots" found this to be somewhat of an overwhelming inspirational and emotional experience. The return home after something like the Rally and re-entering is bound to be somewhat of a "downer".I would encourage you not to "beat yourself up" over what you're feeling. I think if you found a current listing that you could get excited about with a deadline in a week or two could focus some of your energy.Chuck

[Casey H]

I had much worse pre-rally block than post-rally. The rally has me super-motivated... I'm not great at advice here, coming off a multi-year block, but this too shall pass as they say. I assume you already keep a notepad and/or voice recorder with you all the time so if I thought enters your head you don't lose it... I keep recording every phrase or idea that hits me for better or worse...BTW, I’ve been told that Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark”, years ago, came out of a period of bad writer’s block. His manager told him to just write down whatever he did all day and hence:I get up in the eveningand I ain't got nothing to sayI come home in the morningI go to bed feeling the same wayI ain't nothing but tiredMan I'm just tired and bored with myselfHey there baby, I could use just a little help..Message keeps getting clearerradio's on and I'm moving 'round the placeI check my look in the mirrorI wanna change my clothes, my hair, my faceMan I ain't getting nowhereI'm just living in a dump like thisThere's something happening somewherebaby I just know that there is… etc.. Casey

[ciskokidd]

Hey Casey that was an interesting bit. I never even thought about those lyrics in that light and now it makes absolute sense to me. Wow, what a great song to come out of writer's block!!I agree with Vikki, that you have to just write for the trash can until you break through.I have found that the more I concentrate on why I'm not writing the worse it gets, so only writing for the sake of writing will break the trance.Keep plugging away and you'll get there Anne!Cisco

[sgs4u]

You break the writer's block by refusing to listen to your own head games. This drama we create(I can't do it fast enough, I'll fail, whatever... kinds of excuses) in our heads, is pretty much the same as the child who won't clean his room. It has to be done, get to work. Even if the kid has a good excuse, we still push them to, "Do the right thing." Here's an idea: Make a decision to edit your recording work, after you get 2 or 3 new things recorded. Don't pay attention to the editor in your head before you hit the record button. That's what's messing with your confidence. You're allowing your editing skills to engage before you even have something to edit. Yes, it's a tall mountain, Anne. Deliberately putting one foot in front of the other, will get you started. Pick a little meaningless task you need to get completed. You must have tons, the same as all of us. Remaster something, upload a coupla new tunes to your site. But I bet you're already feeling better today about things. You gals, always need some kind of validation of your feelings before letting 'em go. Am I right? who luvs ya baby, Quote:But now that I'm back home I'm finding myself feeling unable to get any writing done. I have the thoughts in my head, but I just keep making excuses to avoid playing and recording them. Its even been tough to post on the forums!The feeling is much like stagefright! Because I did well at the rally I feel like I'm going to "fail" in writing more songs for the library that requested more songs. Is this a normal reaction to passing a huge milestone? Does this happen to you, too? I could use a little advice on breaking the block...